Basketball Players Not Taking Full Advantage Of New Rules

Southland Times, Issue 23816, 13 May 1939, Page 15

Basketball Players Not Taking Full Advantage Of New Rules

By

FORWARD

FIXTURES May 23.—Evening tournament. June s.—King’s birthday tournament. August 21-26—New Zealand basketball tournament.

The tournament fund was appreciably augmented on Saturday, the list to date being as follows:—M. McGrath (St. Mary’s) 2 books; K. Stobo (Rata) 1; M. Adam (Rata) 1; D. Hurworth (Technical) 1; K. Todd (Technical) 1; M. Thomson (Pirates) 1; J. Holding (Collegiate) 1; M. Moran (Collegiate) 1; M. Jensen (Collegiate) 1; A. Nichol (Collegiate) 1; E. Neame (Collegiate) 1; D. Baird (Collegiate) 1; A. Shedden (Stuarts) 1; B. McCaw (Makarewa) 2; Mrs Mehaffey 2; Mr Kinross 1. Mrs T. Noble has consented to hold a jumble sale in June, the proceeds to be given to the tournament funds. Here is a way in which basketball enthusiasts can help to make this New Zealand tournament the best yet. THE NEW RULES It was quite evident on Saturday that quite a number of players are still a little uncertain about some of the minor points. The rules state that “all players shall be free to move immediately the whistle sounds but the centre taking the pass must toe the line until she has thrown the ball.” This means that every player except the one in possession of the ball may move immediately the whistle is blown. This naturally includes the opposing centre not in possession of the ball. Quite a few teams are failing to take advantage of this liberty which holds quite a number of possibilities for a clever centre player who may occasionally intercept the ball as it is thrown by her opponent.. ' '. , Another rule which is not appreciated to the full concerns the throwing in from the back lines. The rule book states: “If the ball' rebounds from the goal-posts inside the court after ,an attempt at goal, it shall be thrown in by an opponent from any spot along the goal line within the radius of the goalcircle, and on either side of the goalpost.” Quite a few players dogmatically take the throw-in from the same spot each time. While tending towards accuracy in the throw-in, the lack of variety enabjes the opposing team to forecast the direction of the throw and possibly intercept, it. A little variety in the position taken up hy the player throwing in will, prevent the opposing team anticipating the tactics to be employed. This liberty of throwing in along the goal-line has led to inaccuracy in the throwing in, in other parts of the court. The rules stipulate that “the throw-in shall be taken at the spot where the ball crossed the line.” Notice that it says “at the spot,” not merely somewhere near. On Saturday quite_ a few players were very erratic in taking up their positions to throw the ball in. The penalty is a throw in to the opposing team. The opponent, too, has been guilty of inaccuracy in another respect. The opponent of the person throwing in is required to stand off the court beside the thrower-in and cannot take any part in the game until the ball has left the hands of the thrower-m. On Saturday several players stood just inside the court and thus had about a yard start on their opponents, in the run-in to the court , Another fault committed by the thrower-in is stepping while throwing the ball. The thrower-in must stand still while making the throw. The penalty for failing to do so is a throwin to file opposing team. . Official word has now been received from the New Zealand Referees Association about the nine-foot rule. The rules states that no player shall stand within nine feet of the player throwing in. This has been interpreted to mean nine feet away in any direction, 'pie player may be nine feet along the She need not be nine feet back from the Some players consider that although guarding is eliminated they may still stand in front of their opponents. The Hiles definitely state that “no player shall obstruct or guard another player in possession of the ball _by interposmg her body or any part of it, thus making it difficult for that player to throw the ball to another player.” This rule thus very clearl” precludes standing in front of a player in possession of the ball. This applies equally when a plaver is aiming at goal. . Many playdrs seem to be still in doubt about boundary lines and third lines. All lines are now part of the court. The third lines are common property to adjacent thirds. Thus any player may step on the lines but. once she steps over the line she infringes. On the other hand a player throwing in may not step on the line because she is outside the court and the lines are definitely part of the court. Some forwards in the lower grades are under the impression that they are forced to shoot once they are within the goal-circle. This is neither necessary nor advisable in all cases. The ball may be passed as many times as desired within the goal-circle. SATURDAY’S GAMES Very slippery conditions underfoot spoiled many games on Saturday, heavy rain in the, morning having made the courts very wet. The ball likewise soon became very slippery thus making accurate handling extremely difficult. The shooting in most games was fairly accurate, several very high scores being registered.

Collegiate first grade, as a result of excellent team work, gained an easy victory over Collegiate 2A. During the first half the senior team’s centres completely overshadowed their opponents and as a result the 2A forwards saw little of the ball. The scoring was slow during the first half and . the 2A team added only one goal to its handicap of six. The half-time score was 11-7 in the senior team’s favour. During the second half the first grade team scored more consistently and although 2A struggled hard to overhaul its opponents the senior team obtained a still more comfortable lead and emerged the victor by a decisive margin, the final score being 22-10. . Technical 2A was outclassed in its match against Rata first grade during the opening stages of the game. The passing of both, teams was particularly fast and spectacular, each side displaying clever team work. The absence of a regular centre in the Technical team upset the team’s combination but even at its full strength Technical would have been no match for the consistent team work of the Rata centres and defences and the machine-like accuracy of the forwards. L. Mehaffey seldom failed to score when given the opportunity and she was ably supported by her team mates in the forward third, A. McDonald and R. Henderson. The Technical defences had a difficult task trying to out-manoeuvre this forward rombination. The score at half time was 17-12 in favour of Rata. During the second half Rata’s superiority .was more marked and it soon established a considerable lead. Technical’s forwards were not shooting as accurately as usual and C. Smith in the centre third was - not up to her usual standard because of a fall during.the first half. W. Fraser played particularly well in Rata’s centre and used her height to advantage. The game ended 35-16 in the senior team’s favour. ' There was much ragged play and faulty passing in the 2A match between Rata and Girls’ High School. In most cases the ragged play - was caused by passing too low so that players were forced to catch the ball about the height of the knees and in many cases they knocked the ball with their knees and thus dropped it. Rata’s defences and centres played fairly well during the first half but the forwards failed to produce their usual combination and scored poorly. The half time score was 7-4 in favour of Rata. During the second half Rata atoned in full for the poor display of the first half, the defences intercepting well, the centres combining to advantage and the forwards scoring at every opportunity. The school ream was outclassed in every third and made little headway against the convincing combination of the Rata team. L. Lopdell played well in the forward line for High School and M. Adam in Rata forward third scored consistently many of her goals being quite spectacular and shot from near goal-circle. The final score was 28-7 in Rata’s favour. Makarewa 2A played an excellent game to defeat St. Mary’s first grade team. Although Makarewa had the advantage of a six,handicap, it would have won by one goal without its handicap. St. Mary’s team, although possessing some good individual players has as yet not worked out a convincing combination. Makarewa has an excellent combination, plays an enterprising and clever game and thoroughly deserved its win on Saturday. The forwards are to be commended for their accuracy at the goal. This team, however, is still using the long pass and its play would undoubtedly improve if the passes were as a rule shorter, the long pass being used only as an occasional tactic. H. McDougall played a particularly active court game and scored consistently. The game was fast and interesting throughout neither team slackening up until the final whistle when Makarewa emerged the victor by 28-21. SECOND GRADE Playing at Wallacetown, Exhibition gave the home team an excellent game, in which much excellent basketball was seen. Wallacetown attacked strongly ,in the opening stages of the game and scored four times before Exhibition opened its score. During the remainder of the first half scoring was fairly even, the half time score being 10-8 in Wallacetown’s favour. On the resumption of play Exhibition put up a determined effort and equalized. Exhibition centres were playing particularly well at this stage, E. McChesney being outstanding. Play was fast and keen until the final whistle when the score read 15-15.

During the first half of tfie StuartsMcKenzies match, the McKenzie players were poor, making the mistake' of standing behind their opponents and thus having many of their passes intercepted. McKenzies also used the long pass which Stuarts intercepted without difficulty. ' Stuarts played a fast and open game giving an excellent display of team work. A. Bernstone and M. Thomas played well in Stuarts forward line. The half time score was 11-2 in Stuarts favour. During the second half McKenzies reversed its tactics and came forward to the ball, with the result that its play improved considerably. McKenzies rallied so well that it scored better than its opponents in the second .half. The final score was 17-10 in favour of Stuarts. Rata secured a decisive victory against St. Mary’s. The first half was evenly contested, the half time score being 12-9 in Rata’s favour. During the second half, however, Rata improved considerably in all thirds. The three Rata forwards have developed a very pretty combination, and all scored consistently, M. Mabson and T. Hargest being responsible for some spectacular. shots. The game ended 25-7 in Rata’s favour.